April 19, 2019
by Matt Rezin
This weekend the AUDL season kicks into the next gear with 16 teams in action, all taking place this Saturday evening. Watch the critically important (for the playoffs! in week 3!) rematch between Austin and Dallas in the Stadium Game of the Week. Catch the rest of the action live on AUDL.tv.
Saturday, April 20
Philadelphia Phoenix at DC Breeze - 4:00 PM/ET
- Sean Mott (PHI) — In 2018 Sean Mott led the Phoenix in assists (55), goals (42), and points played (340) over 14 games. The playmaker of the Phoenix's offense line returns in 2019 looking to visit Madison as an all-star and to bring his Phoenix back to the playoffs in the ever more challenging East Division.
- Matthew McDonnell (DC) — The 2018 AUDL MVP is back to create for the Breeze in 2019. Last week against the Empire, McDonnell was on the field for 70% of his team's points, playing both O and D lines and drawing lots of attention from the opposing defense to open the field up for the Breeze.
Chicago Wildfire at Minnesota Wind Chill - 7:00 PM/ET
- Pawel Janas (CHI) — One of the more disc-dominant handlers in the league, if the Wildfire are on offense, Janas is probably near the disc. In 2018, Janas completed 58.4 passes per game at a rate of 96.6%. With Kurt Gibson sidelined with an injury the Wildfire will look to Janas to keep their offense rolling.
- Bryan Vohnoutka (MIN) — Vohnoutka led the Wind Chill in Plus/Minus in 2018 scoring 67 points over 11 games. It was a breakout performance in his first full season with the team. The Wind Chill will look for a big contribution from their crafty cutter as they open their season against the Wildfire.
Pittsburgh Thunderbirds at Madison Radicals - 7:00 PM/ET
- Max Sheppard (PIT) — In his first full season with the Thunderbirds, Sheppard had a hugely productive year, scoring 64 assists, 31 goals in 14 games. The Thunderbirds will attempt to get back to the playoffs this year with Sheppard as a crucial piece of their gameplan.
- Peter Graffy (MAD) — Listed as a Defender on his player page, Graffy took increased reps with the Radicals O-line last year to great effect. With solid all around skills, Graffy always finds a way to make a big impact when he's on the field. Over 5 seasons in the AUDL, you can reliably count on Graffy for 5.3 plus/minus in any game he takes the field.
Detroit Mechanix at Indianapolis AlleyCats - 7:00 PM/ET
- Kevin Coulter (DET) — After 3 seasons away from the AUDL, Kevin Coulter returns for the 2019 season. In his lone season in the league Coulter was an important part of the Mechanix offense, scoring 27 assists, and 37 goals in just 8 games. The Mechanix will need his talents as they start their 2019 effort on the road against a tough AlleyCats squad.
- Keegan North (IND) — North came out strong in week two against the Radicals and proved he's ready for the 2019 season, scoring 5 assists and 3 goals.
Atlanta Hustle at Tampa Bay Cannons - 7:05 PM/ET
- Matthew Knowles (ATL) — Through two games Knowles is leading the Hustle in assists. Seeing higher utilization handling than in past seasons, the Hustle will need a consistent performance from Knowles in order to redeem their week one loss as they return to Tampa two weeks later.
- Tanner Repasky (TB) — In their win over the Hustle in week one, Repasky got his 2019 season off to a strong start, scoring 2 assists and 3 goals. They'll need a repeat performance this weekend with the Hustle out for redemption.
Austin Sol at Dallas Roughnecks - 8:00 PM/ET
- Matthew Bennett (ATX) — In the Sol's first win over the Roughnecks, they relied heavily on their defense for scoring. That defensive effort was helmed by Matt Bennett who tossed 5 assists and played every defensive point in the game.
- Kai Marshall (DAL) — While they may have lost to the Sol last weekend, the Roughnecks had a huge game defensively, tallying 29 Ds during the course of the game. Marshall led the team (with 6 of those blocks) playing mostly on the O-line. The Roughnecks will look to keep their O-line on offense this weekend as they take on the Sol at home.
Los Angeles Aviators at Seattle Cascades - 9:00 PM/ET
- Danny Landesman (LA) — In his first ever game in the AUDL in week two, Landesman made an immediate impact as a downfield cutter and led the team with 5 goals. Still in his senior year of high school, Danny also scored an assist, got a block and had no turnovers. His AUDL's auspicious start indicates a bright future for the Aviators.
- Jay Boychuk (SEA) — In his first game with the Cascades (after three seasons with the Toronto Rush) Boychuk made an immediate impact. Scoring 4 assists and 7 goals in 26 points. If he was on the field Boychuk was likely to score a point.
San Diego Growlers at San Jose Spiders - 10:00 PM/ET
- Wes Groth (SD) — In week two's battle against the Spiders, Groth shone for the Growlers, leading the team with 7 for plus/minus, he scored 3 assists and 4 goals without a turnover.
- Justin Norden (SJ) — With the infusion of talent from around the bay this season, the Spiders lead handler has found himself spending more time on the D-line this season. He still tops his team in assists and throwing with high consistency, his leadership will be needed this weekend as the Spiders try to redeem their road loss as they return home to San Jose.
